One of the core functions of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is advocacy. Our Government and Legislative Affairs committee meets monthly to examine issues on the local and state level that are impacting our community. Each year, they develop a legislative priority statement, which outlines the issues in which the chamber has taken a position or those policy and funding requests of our members that have been reviewed and accepted by the government affairs committee to 'support' as important to the business climate of our area.

We also encourage all of our members to be actively engaged in the local political process. In Winter Haven, if you want your voice heard, it can be. Many members of our committee attend the bi-monthly City of Winter Haven Commission meetings to keep an eye on decisions being made at the local level and speaking up on issues that will affect our business community and quality of life. This committee also puts on the Whistle Stop Political Rally and BBQ every other year during an election cycle. If you are interested in serving on the Government and Legislative Affairs committee, please contact Katie Worthington Decker.

We also work with many partners in our area to ensure that we are as aligned as possible on the issues affecting the region. From Polk Vision, to other area Chambers of Commerce to the Central Florida Partnership, we believe it is of the utmost importance for Winter Haven to have a seat at the table and a voice in the discussion of how the Central Florida region develops.